Perseus Cuts Off Medusas Head.

48.5 x 32 cm (19.1 x 12.6 inches).
Perseus Cuts Off Medusas Head.
This spectacular baroque engraving is from Bernard Picart's Le Temple Des Muses.
The engraving was made in 1733, is from the first edition and is an original antique. It has captions in French, English, German, and Dutch.
It is in very good condition for its age.
In Greek mythology, Perseus was tasked with cutting off Medusa's head. Medusa had snakes for hair and a gaze that turned mortals to stone. The Hesperides gave Perseus a bag to contain Medusa's head. Zeus gave him an adamantine (diamond) sword. Hades gave him a cloak of darkness to hide in. Hermes lent Perseus winged sandals to fly, and Athena gave him a polished shield. Perseus then went to the Gorgons' cave and found Medusa sleeping. By viewing Medusa's reflection in his polished shield, he safely approached and cut off her head. In this dramatic engraving by Bernard Picart, Athena helps Perseus avoid looking directly at Medusa. The ornate border includes dragons, serpents and owls.